Text: Nehemiah 1, John 17, Romans 12:12
I’ve discovered something that continues to surprise me: the power of a gaze. In the line at the supermarket, at lunch with a friend, passing a street corner – my level of interaction is determined by where I cast my gaze. If I dare to look you in the eye, an invisible line is breached. I step out of my world and enter yours. Venturing out of myself, though uncomfortable, makes life richer, helps me see the whole of it.
So it is with prayer. The word “intercede” means to intervene on another’s behalf, and in prayer it simply means this: going to the Father in the name of another. To intercede means seeing another’s need and carrying it to the King of Kings.
In Nehemiah 1, we see a man broken for his Brothers and Sisters. Upon hearing news that a city and people he loves are in danger, Nehemiah weeps. “As soon as I heard these words,” he writes, “I sat down and wept and mourned for days.” (v. 4) Nehemiah fasts and prays and pleads to God on behalf of the people of Jerusalem. As I read of his reaction, I can’t help but ask, When was the last time I allowed intercession to interrupt my life, laid my agenda aside to enter into another’s struggle? The answer is humbling at best.
When Nehemiah carries Jerusalem’s woes to the Lord, it looks like this: he affirms God’s glory and steadfast love, he petitions for God to hear his prayer, he acknowledges his own sin and the sin of the people, and he reminds God of His promises. Yes, Nehemiah speaks back to God the covenant that God Himself made. Essentially, he calls God out. He says, “You said you would do this for Israel and you did it. Now, O faithful Lord, continue to do what you said you would do.” (v.8-11, my very loose paraphrase)
In John 17, we see that Christ Himself likewise intercedes for His followers. He prays not for their comfort, happiness or prosperity, but for something grander. He prays for unity. He prays that they will abide in the Father. He prays for their sanctification in the truth and that they will one day be with Him in Glory. Amen, right?
Sisters, let’s soak in these examples of intercessory prayer today. Let’s cling hard to God and His promises, for ourselves and for each other. Let’s dare to look one another in the eye, step out of ourselves and pray in the fullness of the Kingdom.
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28 thoughts on "prayers of intercession"
I am so thankful for your kind intercession for my friend Megan. I am so sorry to say that she has been diagnosed with cancer in her chest wall. She has met with a doctor today & will have a biopsy on Monday morning. At that time decisions will be made about how to proceed with her treatment. This is unbelievable yet I know this happens to people every day, perhaps many of my sisters here in the SRT community. This is heartbreaking yet I agree with you Unforgiven & Tina: God has the final say and all the answers. His plans are not to harm us but to give us hope and a future. Today's verse on our You Version app says from Ecclesiastes 11:5 – "Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother's womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things." Megan's diagnosis is not for us to understand right now but I pray that God will enable me and strengthen me to serve as His vessel of love and care for my friend. Ladies, our lives are so so precious.
Interceding for both Sara and Megan. Please keep us posted. I pray that everyone be blessed and encouraged!
Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white ss snow. ….Jesus died our souls to save…. Jesus gave it all…
Thank you Jesus for being the greatest intercessor there ever Will be. AMEN.
Be blessed ladies in whatever you do today. X x
Praying for Megan and Sara today.
LaurenC, from my lips to Gods ears. Will definitely be holding up Megan to the God who has all the answers, plans not to harm us, but hope all and a future.
Yes we will definitely call on you Lord and we Will come ti you in pray for our sister Megan, and Lord your promise is that you Will hear us(jer 29:11-13). Because we seek you with all our hearts…
I Will Thank you Lord in advance of what you Lord promise us that you Will nite leave us nor forsake us…. Amen.
Amen Sister Lauren will definately intercede with you. God has the final say.and we know sickness and disease is not of Him.
Hi everyone, please intercede with me on behalf of my co-worker. She has been having back pain for some time focused on a small hard mass and a large area of swelling near it. She had an MRI yesterday. She called me a little while ago to tell me that the MRI report says she has a "highly aggressive malignant mass." She was given the report from the imaging center but she has not spoken with her doctor. The doctor has NOT called her yet about the results and so all she and her parents know are these very frightening words, along with many more medical details in the report which they do not yet understand. Her name is Megan and she is only 31. She has no symptoms except the very localized pain in her back. Megan is a good friend of mine. Please pray with me that she will just hold on until she speaks with the doctor in person and knows exactly what is going on. Let's all lift Megan up to God's strong arms and gentle hands to receive both His strength and His peace, that her mind will not run away with her to dark places of worry, that she will just hold on. Thank you so much.
I prayed for Meagan and as The Lord reminds me I will continue to lift her and her family to Him.
” When was the last time I allowed intercession to interrupt my life, laid my agenda aside to enter into another’s struggle?”
I love this devo today! In a society that’s all about me, me, me, this is a timely reminder to think of others and what they may be struggling with. It’s an opportunity to help, in the most simple way! Pray! :)
We are so blessed Sisters, that we have this community to turn to and to ask for prayers! In times of darkness when I’ve asked, I have FELT prayers lift me up that came from all of you. Such an amazing feeling! I like what Raechel said: “Venturing out of myself, though uncomfortable, makes life richer, helps me see the whole of it.” What a great message. Look around you. See the need of another and carry it to the King of Kings!
Tiffany said it above- “I may not know all the scriptures to pray with, however I know God earnestly will do the rest as He sees my heart.”
That’s what I count on! I haven’t got much Scripture memorized yet, but I know He knows my heart.
Ibukun , lovely post! It says it all! ;)
Rocknitat55, thanks for your prayer!
AmyKelly, I’ve always understood fasting to be used for clarity! (?) Now I have a question! What do you do to start a fast? Special prayers? How long do you fast? What fluids can you have?
P.S. Candacejo just had a wonderful piece about “ME” on her blog! Read it if you can Ladies! ;)
Have a beautiful day Sisters!
Praying for others is something I have done , but now see its needed to pray for every being. I may not know all the scriptures to pray with , however I know GOD earnestly will do the rest as he see's my heart. I very sad about the state if our world. However God has already told us " HE IS GOD ! " Psalm 46
Intercessory prayer is something that I have been pondering quite a bit lately. In fact, the thing that started me thinking about it was Jesus' prayer in the Garden prior to His betrayal. Obviously, in that prayer Jesus was praying about His circumstances, but it made me really consider how I pray for myself and others. Just how often I attempt to tell God what to do-how to handle this situation.
I was excited when I saw that part of our reading today was Romans 12:12. This is probably my all-time favourite verse. I just posted about it 2 days ago on scripturesquegraphics.com. I have never really considered this verse as it relates to intercessory prayer. As I think about it now in the context of all that we read today it changes my focus. I have to think about the scope of my vision as I stay in constant contact with God. Obviously, that vision includes people that need prayer and hope and patience. I love how God's word never ends in it's complexity.
Over the last two years I have learned so much about intercessory prayer and have become much stronger in being able to pray for others. God even stretched me by having me become an alter worker at my church for a while. It is one thing to pray for people individually, but to pray for them in the moment as they come to the alter… It was an amazing experience that taught me so much. I love praying for others!
In reference to the conversation going about fasting, I agree with Candicejo. Fasting is about changing our focus to God and is not about showing the world just how strong you can be. I did a personal study on fasting to learn more about it because I was confused about the different types of fasting and I struggled when I did them. I learned so much and now I enjoy fasting. It allows me to focus on God and realign myself when needed. In conjunction with intercessory prayer it can be powerful.
Hi, I didn't intend to post this here this morning…I am trying to set up a blog with fumbling fingers and foggy brain and do Not have a handle on it. But the scripture this morning prompted me to adapt Nehemiah's prayer for today and since blog efforts look strange, I am sharing it here. Writing prayers from scripture helps me focus on God's word, will, and ways.
“ Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel,the people of the USA, your people in every country of this world, your creation. We (I) am not worthy, but by your blood on the cross, your love makes us (me) yours. I confess the sins we ..in every corner of your world, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. . . We have sinned, I have sinned, but we long to be gathered from . . . all the places, states of mind, rabbit trails I have chased down, from the brink of my own, our own destruction and brought home again to the center of your will so I and all believers now and for those yet to believe can be worthy dwellings for your Spirit.
We are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting favor in the presence of all so that your will may be accomplished in this world that we (I) might see where the work you are doing is happening and join you in Kingsom Building.” April 11, 2013 Prayer adapted from (Nehemiah 1:5-11 NIV)
Nicole, I love your idea about finding verses that apply to your prayers for people. My husband and I just started reading together "the secrets of Intercessory Prayer" by jack hayford, and I have been really making an effort this week to pray for all that I can think of. It can be very revolutionary!
That's awesome. I might have to check out that book. Intercessory prayer has been a big part of my life lately. Thanks for sharing!
Amy i have always been taught that fasting was a time to get our focus off of oursleves and on to God.,it breaks down the yoke of bondage and helps the Spirit to gain control of the flesh
. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:6, 7 ASV)
It doesn't change God, it changes YOU! Jesus said after His death it would be appropriate for His followers to fast. "And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast." (Matthew 9:15 ASV)
Fasting is to produce a transformation in us, to help us get a more clear and more focused dependence on Him. It is to be done with humility and privately unless it is a group fast of course.
It breaks strongholds, looses the bands of wickedness, and will undo heavy burden and set the oppressed free! It will break every hold the enemy has! It is an important way to get victory over a difficult situation that isn't responding to "normal" prayer. "But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 17:21 ASV)
That's just a few of the benefits, I'm sure others will add to it!
Great lesson today, love all the comments! Thankful for the intercessors in my life and want to be SENSITIVE to the needs of others!
Thank you!! That makes so much sense!
Today's study has been really helpful for me. I have felt that my intercessory prayer life was always lacking. I think I was making it to difficult. Wanting to pray perfectly. Fearing I would offend God by not having the right words when praying on behalf of others. Thank you SRT for sharing this insight into prayer!
Reading this morning's devotion about intercession, I have such a strong feeling, overwhelming to the point of tears, to pray for a dear friend. She is about 6 weeks pregnant for the third time – the first two times were miscarriages, one at 8 weeks, the other at 12. You don't have to reply, but would you please lift her up with me? Her name is Sara.
Thank you sisters, Have a blessed day!
Yes, Nehemiah speaks back to God the covenant that God Himself made. Essentially, he calls God out. He says, “You said you would do this for Israel and you did it. Now, O faithful Lord, continue to do what you said you would do.”
I have been following this pattern and I didn't even know it. I do this all the time. At one point, I went through scripture and found 10 or 15 passages where God promises something relevant to my prayers for someone and wrote them all down. It's like I was building up a case to God for why He should answer this prayer. To be honest, I was feeling kind of guilty for telling God His own words and promises, as if He doesn't know. Reading that others have done that too, and that God blessed them for it, makes me feel a bit better about it! ;)
This day Lord, a lot to ask forgiveness for, plenty to be thankful for, and on your behalf many to intercede for. And although I may not be able to stare you in the eye I can hear the beat of your heart:
Father I lift up my country and its leaders. Your word admonishes us to pray for our leadership…
Lord thy will be done.
Lord I lift up the family who’s daughter was bullied and committed suicide, may you give them a garmet of praise for their heaviness.
Lord I lift up those who are unsaved. My friends, neighbors, co workers, my enemies…. may they soon come to know you not only in the pardoning of their sins, but as a Friend that sticketh closer
than a brother.
Last but not least Father I would like to lift up this community SRT and all those associated with it.
Authors, Writers, Gazers, Praisers as well as Skeptics. As we come together from all walks of life, from all parts of this great nation The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! How awesome that we are drawn here together to sit at your feet. We are blessed not stressed. Lord may the light of your word shine and penetrate those things that r not of you in our lives. Amen!
Ladies let’s have a terrific Thursday.
What a wonderful way to encourage others and to remember all of the circumstances going on around us. I was sooo inspired by your writing. Thank you so much for your inspirational words. May God richly bless you!
Love the example of Nehemiah’s prayer. I love intercessory prayer. It’s so wonderful to see God working and to witness answer to prayers in others lives.
As for the WHY of fasting, AmyKelly…the only explanation I’ve heard thus far is that it’s showing, acknowledging that God is more important to you than food and the hunger pangs remind you to hunger for/turn to/rely on God. It’ll be great to see what other sisters have to share on this.
Have a great day ladies! Praying for us all today!
Melissaemma- praying for you to feel better!
I think I need to remember we live in a fallen world and our brothers and sisters in Christ have needs and hurts and struggles just like I do. I need to pray for them as much as I would want them praying for me. I want to intercede for them. God wants us to, calls us to, and has done it for us.
I loved this morning's devotion!! Kjshepp, thank you for sharing those scriptures. I want to "revolutionize" my prayers as well!! Ibukun, that was one of my favorite parts, too!
I do have a question. Raechel pointed out that Nehemiah fasted. There are many places where I have read that fasting takes place before prayer. I have even participated in fasting with my church. But to be honest, even though I know and understand WHAT we are doing and HOW we fast… I am unsure of the WHY. Anyone able to she'd some light for me?
“That they may be one evn as you and I are one”, Jesus prayed
That we may be one in pain, suffering, joys, celebrations and that we bring all of that to God for each other in prayer to God. Bearing each other’s burdens like they are ours because, really, they are.
“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Phil 2:4 NLT)
thank you for the observation you made about Nehemiah's "boldness" to pray for Israel. I love this idea, and think it's probably what is meant by coming to God with boldness in prayer.
Quickly I searched my Bible and we see this in Moses, David and Samuel (Gen 18:27, 1 Chron. 17:25, 1Samuel 7:27)
It could seem a little prideful, but it's really being confident God will do what He says. Does God need a reminder? No, of course not. But I think when I give Him back His words and promises, it honors Him and glorifies Him with my faith and hope He is the God who keeps His words. It is a confidence in Him.
I really LOVE this idea and think it will change (revolutionize) my prayers! Thank you!